Library's solar saver

QUEANBEYAN City Council will save thousands of dollars in electricity costs due
to a new, 40.25 Kilowatt solar power system installed at the Queanbeyan Library this week.

The 158 solar panels will cut Council's energy use by more than
60,000kWh, or around $20,000 per year. With a total cost of $110,000, the system
will have paid for itself within six years.

"This is a very exciting project
for Queanbeyan City Council," Mayor Tim Overall said.

"Council has allocated
a total of $385,000 over the life of its Delivery Program 2013-17 ... to fund a
number of alternate energy generation projects. Staff are currently
investigating the best options for this funding.

"Energy costs make up a
significant amount of Council's annual budget and initiatives such as this that
reduce that cost are most welcome," he said.

The solar rollout could soon
extend to a number of other Council buildings around Queanbeyan, including The
Q, the RB Smith Centre and the Aquatic Centre, with Council staff to investigate
how best to allocate the remaining $275,000 in the renewable fund.

"Just
looking around I noticed the number of flat-roof platforms on Council buildings
that lend themselves to solar panels," Cr Overall said.